When you’ve had it up to here
and can’t take anymore,
Just be kind.
When every button has been pushed
and there’s no sense in arguing,
Just be kind.
When your fears suck the air out of you
and you can barely breathe,
Just be kind.
When lullabies, stories, kisses
and a million tickles do not work,
Just be kind.
When the food just sits there,
and gets pushed around and criticized,
Just be kind.
When the same bad habits pop up
time and time again,
Just be kind.
When the thing you really needed done didn’t get done
and you said it a hundred times,
Just be kind.
When all you feel like doing is crawling back to bed
and let the tears fall down your face,
Just be kind.
When everything you were expecting didn’t
turn out the way you’d hoped,
Just be kind.
When it feels like no one loves you
and you are in this all alone,
Just be kind.
When you know you’re messed up
and so has everyone else,
Just be kind.
When they’re scared frozen
and you can’t understand why,
Just be kind.
When their best isn’t good enough
and you feel blame starting to rise,
Just be kind.
When your questions are met with silence
and all they do is shrug,
Just be kind.
When patience is wearing thin
and the only way out is to yell,
Just be kind.
When time is running out
and there are places to be, things to do,
Just be kind.
When you look in the mirror and wince
and hate what you see,
Just be kind.
When you feel as if you have nothing left to give
and you might just give up,
Just be kind.
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- Family life is the ultimate to the Awesomely Awake community. If you need new ideas to do as a family, get your copy of my book The Playful Family, which encourages families to connect and engage through play.
Thank you so much for this today….timing was amazing. This weekend has been so trying and there was more yelling from me than i would want. I saw fear in my sons eyes as he flinched at my voice last night. It stopped me in my tracks and brought me to tears. I needed your words today…thank you.
Sometimes we think the louder we are they will hear us better but that simply isn't the case, is it? If it worked, we'd never have to yell again. Hugs to you. Your slate is clean now. Hugs make it all better. Get yourself one! xo
it was so great to meet you this weekend. and this message too will be one that I take away. That, and my new mantra might be ENCOURAGE.
Hope to stay in touch and to find you in DC again very, very soon. xoxo.
Michelle – As I was driving home I was like SHOOT I didn't get your last name! So happy you posted here. Thank you for your amazing hospitality. The end of the morning was emotional and I desperately needed to decompress in my mind. xoxo I will be back!!
Oh wow, how I needed to read this RIGHT NOW! Thank you. I was able to walk over to my kids and be kind when that is what we all needed the most. That felt great! Thank you again.
Jamie — Your comment made my whole day! Spread the message. We’re changing the world. : )
A well timed post! Thank you!
Aww! Thank you so much.Just what I needed at this late hour.
This came at the most perfect time for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Shawn, yours words are always inspirational. The first time through I applied it to my family (4 kids 17, 17,19, 21) and to my daily life. But we have recently started to do foster care, and as I reread your words, it brought tears to my eyes. It could not have been more beautifully said. Thank you!
Susan, thank you for putting yourself out there and helping children who need a family. That brings tears to my eyes.
Just be kind…
Thanks for sharing. This is too important not to spread around the Internets. : )
Just beautiful! Have re-posted on my Facebook page, hope you don't mind but it just says it all, wish I'd written it! Well done and thank you x x x
Glad you shared it. I wish I could put it on a billboard, ya know? xoxo
i had the words just be kind going over and over again in my head this morning when i was shattered and felt like being anything but kind, it worked! x x
Such beautiful words. I.must.remember.
Thank you for writing and sharing!
This is beautiful, Shawn. I've had it running through my head all day (I read it for the first time this morning). It's a nice refrain to have going.
This is so great! As I am reading it, Im listening to your awesomely awake ecourse recommendation The Paper Kites smiling! I am so happy I found your website — I read alot of parenting tip websites but have never felt more inspired & accepted as a parent who makes mistakes
Love it! Thank you
Amazing!! I am in tears I soooo needed this right now than lk you!!!
Thank you, Stephanie. I’m glad you found what you needed. The Universe works wonders that way. : )